Pringles, Tylenol, Nutella among 2K products recalled for rodent waste exposure

Nearly 2,000 food items, drugs and cosmetic products have been recalled after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discovered a distribution facility was heavily contaminated by rodents and birds.

Gold Star Distribution made the announcement in December, warning that anyone handling or eating the affected products could become "seriously ill."

The FDA found that the facility was operating under insanitary conditions, including the presence of rodent droppings and urine and bird droppings in areas where these products were held.

"These conditions create a significant risk that products held at the facility may have been contaminated with filth and harmful microorganisms," the administration said.

Exposure to these contaminated products poses a serious risk of bacterial contamination, specifically salmonella and leptospirosis.

While salmonella causes severe gastrointestinal distress, leptospirosis, a bacterial disease spread via rodent urine, can cause the following symptoms according to Cleveland Clinic :

• High fever

• Red eyes

• Abdominal pain

• Headache and muscle aches

• Chills

• Rash

• Jaundice

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

The FDA rated the recall as a Class II on Jan. 22, PEOPLE reported.

This classification means the products could "cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote‚" according to the administration's website .

The affected products were distributed to stores in Indiana, Minnesota and North Dakota.

The list of brands affected by this recall spans 44 pages and includes:

• Jolly Ranchers

• Skittles

• Sour Patch Kids

• Pringles

• Takis

• Cheerios

• Kellogg's Rice Krispies Cereal

• Nutella

• Gatorade

• Coca-Cola

• Tylenol

• Smart Water

• Heinz Ketchup

• Fancy Feast cat food

• Gillette razors

No illnesses have been reported as of Jan. 29. However, customers and retailers who purchased the affected products should destroy the products immediately.

Gold Star said these products should not be shipped back to its facility "under any circumstances" and that it will provide refunds upon request.

Gold Star can be contacted via phone at (612) 617-9800.

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